The management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has largely evolved over the past two decades. One important finding is that medical treatment appears under used. Invasive procedure are ... [more ▼]

The management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has largely evolved over the past two decades. One important finding is that medical treatment appears under used. Invasive procedure are reserved to patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment. Indications for implantable cardiac defibrillator are still debated. A global and multidisciplinary approach of the patient and of his family is mandatory. [less ▲]

The 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1) enzyme promotes the local conversion from cortisone to cortisol, especially in the liver and the adipose tissue. It may play a role in the ... [more ▼]

The 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1) enzyme promotes the local conversion from cortisone to cortisol, especially in the liver and the adipose tissue. It may play a role in the pathophysiology of abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome, both showing some similarities with the Cushing syndrome. Considering experimental results obtained in rodents, the inhibition of this enzyme could exert favourable metabolic effects, with significant reductions in plasma glucose, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. Synthetic inhibitors of 11HSD1 are currently in development with encouraging preliminary results, first in animals, and more recently in humans. Selective inhibitors of 11HSD1 may represent an innovative approach in the pharmacological management of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in a near future. [less ▲]

The ACCORD trial investigated the effects of intensifying the global management of 10,251 type 2 diabetic patients, with established cardiovascular disease or at least two other cardiovascular risk ... [more ▼]

The ACCORD trial investigated the effects of intensifying the global management of 10,251 type 2 diabetic patients, with established cardiovascular disease or at least two other cardiovascular risk factors, on a composite endpoint (non fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death). The attempt to reduce HbA1c level below 6% was associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality (despite a reduction in non fatal myocardial infarcts); lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg instead of 140 mmHg did not provide any additional benefit; finally, the control of atherogenic dyslipidaemia, with fenofibrate added to a statin, did not modify the composite endpoint (despite a positive effect in the subgroup of patients with high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol). These rather disappointing results should be interpreted to provide practical guidelines. [less ▲]

Paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes define a group of secondary signs and symptoms associated to a neoplasia, independently from the location of the primary tumor or its metastases. Paraneoplastic or ... [more ▼]

Paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes define a group of secondary signs and symptoms associated to a neoplasia, independently from the location of the primary tumor or its metastases. Paraneoplastic or ectopic endocrine syndromes usually result from aberrant hormone precursors or hormone-like substances by tumours. Knowledge of paraneoplastic endocrine complications is important both for the early diagnosis of neoplasia and the prognosis of the patient. In this review we discuss almost all reported paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes. We analyze their prevalence, etiology, laboratory diagnosis and treatment. [less ▲]

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a frequent and disabling psychic illness. Along psychiatric history, several etiological models have been successively hypothesized to explain the obsessive ... [more ▼]

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a frequent and disabling psychic illness. Along psychiatric history, several etiological models have been successively hypothesized to explain the obsessive compulsive symptoms from a psychological, behavioural or biological point of view. This review aims at presenting OCD etiological models as well as describing OCD clinical and therapeutic aspects. [less ▲]

After diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma is the most frequent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It remains incurable, except for localized diseases. Advanced disease has to be treated only in the ... [more ▼]

After diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma is the most frequent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It remains incurable, except for localized diseases. Advanced disease has to be treated only in the presence of clinical and/or biology aggressiveness. These patients should be treated by rituximab (Mab-Thera) associated to polychemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone. After this therapy, the benefit of rituximab in maintenance has to be confirmed. Autologous stem cell transplantation is also an interesting option. The other therapeutic options comprise radio-immunotherapy with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) and bortezomib (Velcade). [less ▲]

The cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown and no cure or prevention exists so far. Levodopa remains by far the most potent symptomatic therapy, but induces side-effects such as motor fluctuations ... [more ▼]

The cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown and no cure or prevention exists so far. Levodopa remains by far the most potent symptomatic therapy, but induces side-effects such as motor fluctuations and abnormal movements, which can somewhat be counterbalanced by optimizing levodopa plasma levels or acting at receptors level with long half-life dopamine agonists. In severe cases, functional surgery with deep brain stimulation can be offered. Some non-dopaminergic symptoms like dementia, freezing, postural instability or dysautonomia do not respond to dopaminergic drugs and need special care. [less ▲]

In their later stages low grade lymphoma are incurable. These lymphomas being radio-sensitive, a treatment of metabolic radioimmunotherapy, using monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD20) as the carrier has been ... [more ▼]

In their later stages low grade lymphoma are incurable. These lymphomas being radio-sensitive, a treatment of metabolic radioimmunotherapy, using monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD20) as the carrier has been developed. The aim of this treatment is to use these antibodies to target radiation to tumor tissues while limiting toxicity to normal cells. Ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin) is currently prescribed for patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade follicular lymphoma after rituximab treatment. This outpatient treatment has a high level of overall response rate including complete response and that for a long period. The side effects are essentially hematological and reversible. In the near future many more indications should become apparent and Zevalin should become an important tool in the B-cell lymphoma (low and high grade). [less ▲]

In diabetic patients, the use of drug-eluting stents (paclitaxel-PES or sirolimus-SES) reduces the risk of restenosis as compared to bare-metal stents. However, the risk of (very) late thrombosis is ... [more ▼]

In diabetic patients, the use of drug-eluting stents (paclitaxel-PES or sirolimus-SES) reduces the risk of restenosis as compared to bare-metal stents. However, the risk of (very) late thrombosis is higher with drug-eluting stents than with bare-metal stents. All together, the incidence of major cardiovascular events is reduced with drug-eluting stents, mainly resulting from a diminution of revascularisation procedures rather than from a reduction in myocardial infarcts or cardiovascular deaths. Attempts to compare SES and PES gave discordant results in both randomised trials and registries. Efficacious antiplatelet therapy in the long run is mandatory in all diabetic patients treated with drug-eluting stents. [less ▲]

The blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is helpful in the management of arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction and diabetic nephropathy. Such ... [more ▼]

The blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is helpful in the management of arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction and diabetic nephropathy. Such blockade can be obtained with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, a specific antagonist of angiotensin II AT1 receptors, an aldosterone receptor antagonist and/or a direct inhibitor of renin such as aliskiren. Various studies have demonstrated that a dual or even triple RAAS inhibition may offer a better cardiorenal protection, in refractory congestive heart failure and in nephropathy with proteinuria. However, in the ONTARGET study, the dual inhibition with ramipril plus telmisartan did not provide any additional benefit compared to ramipril alone in high-risk cardiovascular patients, but showed a worse tolerance profile. [less ▲]

Rising incidence rate of syphilis is observed in economically advanced countries, particularly among homosexual men and subpopulation with low socioeconomic status. The various clinical presentations are ... [more ▼]

Rising incidence rate of syphilis is observed in economically advanced countries, particularly among homosexual men and subpopulation with low socioeconomic status. The various clinical presentations are divided into early and late stages, including neurosyphilis. The latter can occur during any stage of the disease, leading to the question "when to perform lumbar puncture", particularly in HIV positive patients. Penicillin continues to be the first-line therapy for all stages of syphilis. An alternative treatment should be considered as an exemption, after advice from a specialist. All patients require prolonged clinical and serological follow-up after treatment to rule out relapse or re-infection. The diagnosis of syphilis is an opportunity to search and treat other sexually transmitted diseases in patients and their sexual partner(s). [less ▲]

Endocannabinoid system is overactivated in individuals with abdominal obesity. CBI receptors, first individualized in the brain, are also expressed in the adipocyte, the skeletal muscle, the liver, the ... [more ▼]

Endocannabinoid system is overactivated in individuals with abdominal obesity. CBI receptors, first individualized in the brain, are also expressed in the adipocyte, the skeletal muscle, the liver, the gut, and the pancreas. Their blockade improves glucose tolerance and lipid profile, thanks increased insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels. Rimonabant, a selective antagonist of CBI receptors, improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, treated with diet alone, metformin, sulfonylurea or insulin, while it also reduces body weight and other risk factors. Ongoing studies aim at further demonstrating the potential of rimonabant in the management of type 2 diabetes, in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and in the protection against cardiovascular complications in (diabetic) patients with abdominal obesity. [less ▲]

Coronary artery disease is the major cause of mortality of type 2 diabetic subjects. Its early diagnosis to prevent progression and clinical events has intuitive appeal. Somehow, rationale for screening ... [more ▼]

Coronary artery disease is the major cause of mortality of type 2 diabetic subjects. Its early diagnosis to prevent progression and clinical events has intuitive appeal. Somehow, rationale for screening has not been clearly established. Screening should not modify the medical therapy because diabetic subjects have to be treated in a secondary prevention strategy. We have no data from randomized trials concerning a better outcome after revascularization in this specific population. The question how to select the high risk population to be screened has no response by now. SPECT and stress echocardiography seem valuable for screening but not for risk stratification. A large randomized clinical trial is required to confirm the cost-utility ratio of such a screening. [less ▲]

Glomerular diseases remain frequent causes of end-stage renal failure. Immunosuppressive drugs in association with corticosteroids induce remission of proteinuria and stabilize renal function, as well as prevent relapses, but are responsible for severe portential side-effects: infections, secondary malignancies, sterility and alopecia, and even nephrotoxicity. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a well-known drug in transplantation, presents interesting characteristics potentially useful in the teatment of glomerulopathies. Moreover, its side-effect profile is safer. The present review of literature suggests that MMF is efficient for the treatment of glomerular disease, even if the results of the different studies remain limited and require further confirmation. [less ▲]

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and "biological" treatment are differently used in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer. Surgery is the cornerstone of the stages I-II treatment; chemotherapy is ... [more ▼]

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and "biological" treatment are differently used in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer. Surgery is the cornerstone of the stages I-II treatment; chemotherapy is dominant in the treatment of metastatic stage, but is more and more used in earlier stages. A large discussion is still open for advanced non metastatic stages, even if the association of the 3 major modalities is extensively studied. We discuss our position in this setting. [less ▲]